Cornish Lithium Community Fund supports Observatory for Cornwall in Chacewater

Local groups of all ages have already benefited from the reinstatement of a second dome at the Observatory for Cornwall (OfC) due to the sheer determination and indomitable ingenuity of a team of like-minded individuals, and a grant from the Cornish Lithium Community Fund.

Established in 1999, this not-for-profit, purpose-built observatory, which is situated in the environs of Chacewater, provides free access to practical astronomy and educational resources that reveal the celestial secrets of Cornwall’s magnificent sky at night.

For the past two decades, the OfC has undergone two separate phases of renovation: the first, initiated during the early 2000s came to a shuddering halt following a spate of vandalism, and so renewed efforts to restore the Observatory’s dual domes, reconstruct its educational space and create additional community amenities recommenced in late 2019, and have continued to this day.

“Having successfully restored our first dome, there was no stopping us when it came to dome two, once we knew that our bid for funding from the Cornish Lithium Community Fund had been successful,” explains Rob Knill, who is a leading member of the Observatory’s restoration team. “Firstly, we had to dismantle the dome to remove the rusting brackets and rotational ring. Then, we had to seek the skills of local contractors to fabricate new parts before assembling the component pieces back together again. It sounds easy, but we experienced many technical challenges that required every ounce of our collective ingenuity to resolve. With our hardworking team of volunteers that drew together grandfathers and grandsons, councillors and carpenters, astronomers and accountants, there was also a lot of physical labour involved. All we have to do now is render and seal the dome, and fit the polarised scope, but it rotates like a dream. We are so proud

to have achieved our aim of providing a second fully operational dome from which to observe the breathtaking beauty of our night skies and look forward to welcoming even more community groups to learn about the astral art of astronomy. We would like to thank everyone who has helped us along the way and Cornish Lithium for its community spirited generosity.”

The Cornish Lithium Community Fund awards grants of between £250 and £2,500 to support the work of local clubs, charities and activity groups that seek to make a positive difference in the Company’s project areas. These currently include Blackwater, Carharrack, Chacewater, Gwennap, St Agnes, St Day, Twelveheads and china clay country around St Austell.

In particular, Cornish Lithium encourages applications from groups in those communities whose projects enhance skills and education, upgrade social welfare facilities, support industrial heritage and mining history, improve environmental impacts, or promote health and wellbeing.

“The inspiring Observatory for Cornwall project was successful in its application to our Community Fund because it matched every single one of our eligibility criteria,” explains Cornish Lithium’s ESG & Sustainability Manager, Lucy Crane. “The observatory provides schools and local activity groups with invaluable opportunities to look up and learn about the awe-inspiring world of astronomy as well as a thriving community hub for fostering new friendships and tackling social isolation in a historic mining district that is close to one of our lithium in geothermal waters exploration sites. It has been fascinating to watch this project unfold and we wish the Observatory every success for the future.”

The Cornish Lithium Community Fund is administered by the Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) and a panel meets twice a year to assess eligible applications and select the projects that will receive grants.

The Summer 2025 funding round opens on Thursday 27th March and the deadline for applications is 9am on Thursday 15th May 2025.

For more information about the Cornish Lithium Community Fund and how to apply, visit 

https://www.cornwallcommunityfoundation.com/news/cornish-lithium-community-fund/

For more information about Cornish Lithium, visit www.cornishlithium.com

For more information about the Observatory for Cornwall, please email project secretary, Steve Clovelly, via steveclovelly@gmail.com